I finally got around to reading this, months after it came out. I like Shakespearean plays, but normally retellings of the stories fall flat for me. TI finally got around to reading this, months after it came out. I like Shakespearean plays, but normally retellings of the stories fall flat for me. This one looked different enough, and had gotten good reviews when it came out, so I wanted to give it a try.The book is in a beautiful hardcover edition from Boom/Archaia, and includes a set of notes on Macbeth by the writer. The story itself is an inside-out retelling of Macbeth, but from the viewpoint of the Three Witches. Shakespeare's version of them was fragmentary, and the version we read now may not even be the way he originally wrote them, but Mairghread Scott managed to elaborate on them in an really interesting way. I mean, what kind of person volunteers to be one of the fates, anyway, and how does that happen. Now we know. If you've never seen a performance of the play, I recommend that first. Without at least a basic knowledge of the play, this would not be half as interesting. There have been other graphic novel adaptations of Macbeth, including one ill-advised science fiction version, but this one is true to both the basic tale and to some of the concepts within it, while expanding on some of the characters and giving them a new literary life....more

Like other books of the Elemental Masters series, this one takes place in a "simpler" era, 1900 plus or minus a decade. This one is more specific thanLike other books of the Elemental Masters series, this one takes place in a "simpler" era, 1900 plus or minus a decade. This one is more specific than most, since there are Sherlock Holmes references that put the story in 1890 plus or minus no more than a year.Yes, that Sherlock Holmes. He's a peripheral character in the story, and John Watson is close to the center, along with his wife Mary.This story is part of the sequence involving Nan and Sarah, not technically magicians or elemental masters, since their powers are sideways from magic. One is a medium and the other a psychic. Holmes is much more accepting of their abilities than of that icky magic stuff, which makes for some amusing bits.A haunted opera singer, a desecrated body, a possibly murderous cult and several other threads show up as either puzzles or possible cases. It's only near the end that we realize that some of them are far more interwoven than they looked. There are some nice foreshadowings in the story, of the "things are not always what they seem" variety, and those help enrich the story.Overall, a nice addition to the series, but probably not a good jumping-on point, because so many of the references are to things from earlier volumes....more

This is a good, but not great, sampler of fantasy written by modern French authors. The sample from a longer work at the front of the book convinced mThis is a good, but not great, sampler of fantasy written by modern French authors. The sample from a longer work at the front of the book convinced me to search out that novel, which I finished before actually reading this collection all the way through.The proofreading was iffy in spots, which makes me wonder if the translation was any better. That, in turn, made me wonder if the writing was better in the original French. Still, the stories were enjoyable on the whole, just not outstanding in any way. The premise of the excerpt, musketeers plus magic, was better than the execution turned out to be, but it was still fun....more

I first heard about this novel from an excerpt in a book of translated French fantasy stories, and the idea of "musketeers and magic" intrigued me. WiI first heard about this novel from an excerpt in a book of translated French fantasy stories, and the idea of "musketeers and magic" intrigued me. With a few minor exceptions, this book did not disappoint in terms of action, but it had some odd flaws.Set in an alternate world version of the same period as Dumas' The Three Musketeers, the world is just like that of the classic swashbucklers, but with the minor addition of dragons and magic. A cabal of evil magicians is rising in power in Spain, and their plots may have spilled over the border into France. Cardinal Richelieu, with other things on his mind, is trying to keep France on top of the heap, and will maneuver anyone or anything into position to make that happen.The Cardinal's Blades are his personal special forces unit, disbanded after an unfortunate failure at La Rochelle five years earlier [another seeming alteration to history, since in our world the French won that siege].He has called them back to undertake a mysterious mission, one that involves international intrigue and backstabbing on a grand scale, as spies and traitors lurk behind every curtain and peephole.In fact, this overabundance of spies is the main reason I couldn't give this one a fourth star. By the end of this volume, no one can trust anyone, which in reality makes it awfully difficult to get anything done. I think the author went a little too far in the intrigue department. Also, the combat gets a bit odd in spots. Unless the translator blew it completely, once or twice rapiers are used for things which just don't work, like beheading an opponent. Rapiers are thin, thrusting weapons, and using one to cut off someone's head seems unlikely to work, especially in a single stroke. The primitive pistols of the story are alternately remarkably accurate or very weak in effect, depending on the needs of the scene. One short-range pistol ball is stopped by a leather strap, but others fly for long distances before precisely penetrating opponents.So, overall it was a fun story, but it could have been better....more

This story links directly to Blood Red, a prior volume in the series, and does so in an excellent way. Continuing the German stories and their connectThis story links directly to Blood Red, a prior volume in the series, and does so in an excellent way. Continuing the German stories and their connection to the fantasy series, this volume starts off with a version of Rapunzel, but one with clever and interesting twists. Later digressions into German pulp fiction and another famous fairy tale are done cleverly, and there's even a payoff for the fast-growing hair. I had never heard of German writer Karl May, but after reading this book, I'm curious about this man, apparently the Ned Buntline of Germany. His outrageous stories about an American West that he never visited must have been bizarre and fascinating, based on how they're described here.Giselle, the "Rapunzel" character, is no helpless victim in a tower, and there's far more to her story in this tale. I love the practical applications of magic that the characters come up with in this story, as well as the "don't fight the bad guys with their own strengths" practical magic fight in one section....more

Taking place in a fantasy version of the European renaissance, the story ended at an awkward point, but was otherwise very interesting. I did have somTaking place in a fantasy version of the European renaissance, the story ended at an awkward point, but was otherwise very interesting. I did have some problems with the logic of the way things worked in the last few chapters, though. The basic premise of the story is that Joan of Arc was telling the truth, and that mysterious voices were granting her the powers that she used in her fight to free France from the English and their Burgundian allies. Wulf Magnus and a small number of others also hear those voices, but the Church forbids actually listening to them, or using the powers that might be gained from doing so. A Richelieu act-alike pushes Anton and his brother Wulf into actions that need this illegal magic, for the good of the realm, only things keep taking turns for the worse.I think I will read the sequel, just to find out how he plans to resolve this mess....more

While not every story in this anthology is a smash hit, enough are that the average is very high in quality.The book contains another in Elizabeth MooWhile not every story in this anthology is a smash hit, enough are that the average is very high in quality.The book contains another in Elizabeth Moon's series of stories about a social group for women warriors, and in this story their attempt to host a fancy charity ball. What could possibly go wrong?Other stories by Esther Friesner, Robin Wayne Bailey and others all take different concepts of women warriors and run with them, some funny and some serious, but they're all entertaining. The series is good as a whole, but this is volume may be my favorite so far....more

This was an oddly frustrating book, a blend of alternate history and frontier urban fantasy. The main character personalities were a bit too cliched,This was an oddly frustrating book, a blend of alternate history and frontier urban fantasy. The main character personalities were a bit too cliched, but they had really great dialogue.The author has been criticized by some for the use of pidgin English by some of her Chinese characters in the story, but if you read closely, it's a bit of an inside joke, as they mainly use it when conversing with non-Chinese characters they don't like or trust. They speak differently when talking to Jesse, one of the main characters.Jesse is both a strong point and a weak point in the story. He's such a stereotype that it becomes a bit annoying in places. I liked the female protagonist, Mildred, much better, especially once she got to write both fiction and newspaper articles.What bothered me was that it felt like Emma Bull must have a personal grudge against the whole Earp family, the way they were portrayed. Wyatt as evil, and Morgan as a dangerous idiot? The historians I've read say that only the account by one of the Earp wives made Morgan look bad, and she may have had a grudge. Wyatt was an opportunist, but evil enough to hurt his longtime friends? That didn't convince me. Maybe it's from watching too many TV westerns, but I had trouble seeing either Wyatt Earp or Johnny Ringo as possibly evil magicians. If the suspected bad guy had been Old Man Clanton or someone of that ilk, I would have had an easier time staying caught up in the story.What I did enjoy about the story was the different take on the lady writer, the richness of Emma Bull's language, and the very different takes on magic within the story. The final payoff of why the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral wasn't a magical duel was pretty good, too....more

This story takes place in Edwardian England, but not the boring parts. This one is about circuses and Traveler caravans and variety stages, with magicThis story takes place in Edwardian England, but not the boring parts. This one is about circuses and Traveler caravans and variety stages, with magic both real and illusionary.Katie is on the run from a deadly and abusive husband when she finds sanctuary of sorts as a magician's assistant. Interestingly, in addition to being a stage magician, he's a real one, working with the element of air. The doorman of the theater is a fire mage. Much to her surprise, Katie has a knack for magic herself, or at least fire elementals like to hang out with her.As the story becomes more complex, it stays interesting in terms of both the romance story and the magical adventure. The story stands alone fairly well, so you don't have to read the preceding volumes in the series, which is only loosely tied together. If you like this one, though, you may want to read the others....more

This book has the slowest, gentlest lead-in to the actual conflict that I've ever seen in a book by Mercedes Lackey. She spends the first 200 pages buThis book has the slowest, gentlest lead-in to the actual conflict that I've ever seen in a book by Mercedes Lackey. She spends the first 200 pages building up a very rich world, the next 40 or so building tension with one of the subplots, and then WHAM, she hits you with the real conflict. She used folkloric sources from songs and stories for much of the conflict itself, which worked quite well. Elements from Tam Lin and other ballads interwoven with a pop quiz on riddles interwove in the main "battle."Mari, the central character, is from a Welsh family of fishers, and it's not until her 18th birthday that she learns why they've always been so successful at the trade.Meanwhile, once Mari shows up on his magical "radar," Lord Alderscroft knows that something weird is going on in Wales, and sends some very unusual investigators: two young women, a parrot, a raven [both quite intelligent], and without knowing it, Puck himself. The Puck. You know, the one who wandered in and out of those Shakespearean plays. Things proceed to get rather complicated.The constable was SUCH a buffoon that the reader knew that he was going to be both a problem and the butt of some magical jokes. The actual payoff was delightful.Please don't give up on the boo in its early going, with its odd and gradual format. There IS a payoff that's worth the wait....more

This third volume completes the major plot threads of the first two, but leaves room for future books in the same setting. I would love to see such fuThis third volume completes the major plot threads of the first two, but leaves room for future books in the same setting. I would love to see such future books, because I have really become fascinated by the world-building and setup of this series.Set in an alternate version of America during the 19th century, the series deals with a version of the westward expansion that is impeded by the existence of various unusual obstacles, up to and including dragons.There seems to be no indication of a Native American population. Either they are all west of the Rockies, or got eaten by the Dragons right after first crossing the Bering Strait, because other animals extinct in our world proliferate, including wooly rhinos, mammoths and other animals that in our world were hunted out of existence or otherwise went extinct.I this third volume of the series, the main character has been asked to go along on a journey of exploration, to learn some of the things that the failed Lewis and Clark expedition had hoped to find, and also to learn the source of the sudden upsurge of magical creatures that threatens the frontier settlements. Now that she's older, there's even an element of romance running through the story, although that is not the dominant theme of the story.The result is a fantasy that is readable by teens and adults. The only caveat is that readers really do need to read the whole series. This volume is not a good stand-alone. On the other hand, the books are very good, and not exceptionally long....more

I find this to be an even better series than Card's Alvin Maker stories. While I do not yet understand some of the historical choices that the authorI find this to be an even better series than Card's Alvin Maker stories. While I do not yet understand some of the historical choices that the author made, they are still intriguing. The idea of different styles of magic in different regions of the world rings true from folkloric traditions, and the idea that a magical ecosystem is much harder to explore and conquer than a non-magical one is handled very well.After two books, I am still intrigued by the Great Barrier itself. I really hope that the author has something planned to explain that. This second book carries the story forward, as Eff and Lan reach college age and make their life choices. The real heart of the story comes from their struggles with their own forms of magic, and their explorations of the "wild west" with professors and magicians.Like most second volumes of longer series, this one isn't about resolutions and endings, but it has a lot of cool subplots and new ideas, as well as hints that the area of the far west is a really scary place.I look forward to reading the third volume as soon as I can get my hands on it....more

A Byzantine empress sends a group of top warriors on a quest halfway across Europe, for her own ends, but they keep getting sidetracked...and they alsA Byzantine empress sends a group of top warriors on a quest halfway across Europe, for her own ends, but they keep getting sidetracked...and they also keep getting younger as they go.This graphic novel takes place during the time of the Byzantine empire, and much of it was very good, but the ending got so confusing that I deducted a star. Some elements of the resolution barely made sense, and the epilogue was just annoying to me, after investing time and energy into the characters.The art, by three different artists, was gorgeous, in the style of the more adult graphic albums from Europe. There is a great deal of partial nudity and loads of violence, but they are in keeping with the setting and the story.If you like the Byzantine novels of Harry Turtledove, but want more sex and violence, then read this graphic novel....more

This adventure fantasy takes place in the real historical period and area that is also the setting for many of the tales of what we call The Arabian NThis adventure fantasy takes place in the real historical period and area that is also the setting for many of the tales of what we call The Arabian Nights. Like those tales, this story wanders off into the fantastic at every turn, but also deals with real-world concerns and problems interwoven with flashing blades and evil sorcerers.While not perfect, I found it to be one of those books that is very difficult to put down, and recommend it to anyone looking for a really different historical fantasy, rather than just one more in the typical northern European setting....more

It got off to a slow start, but by the ending I really enjoyed this retelling of a classic Arthurian tale. The only weak spot was the rather slapstickIt got off to a slow start, but by the ending I really enjoyed this retelling of a classic Arthurian tale. The only weak spot was the rather slapstick combat in one prolonged fight sequence, which gave it an odd tone for several pages, but the overall story was handled remarkably well.The original tale, which involved teaching an overconfident and self-involved knight a needed lesson, is changed only a bit in the retelling, and in ways that will make it more comprehensible for young readers....more

I found this to be an amazingly frustrating book. I wanted to smack BOTH the main characters, well before the end of the story.It's not enough for anI found this to be an amazingly frustrating book. I wanted to smack BOTH the main characters, well before the end of the story.It's not enough for an author to say that a character is acting like a selfish, spoiled idiot because he or she is a powerful non-human entity. The author owes it to the reader to make the character into someone who would live past childhood in a realistic setting. Baltic just wasn't such a character. His own parents would have strangled him, and no jury would have convicted them.The viewpoint character, Tully, could only be explained if the reader assumes that she is on the point of a nervous breakdown, and that her repeated bizarre behavior is just a fringe effect from the fact that she's going quite mad. Calling an imporant, life-or-death meeting, and then focusing entirely on the canapes? Her son should be adopted by the Addams family, so that he would have folks around who understand him.I honestly found the comic relief throughout the story to be funny, but so poorly timed that it was jarring. I kept getting pulled out of what should have been an interesting story by Tully having sexual fantasies or magically manifesting bananas. No, really, she did that...bananas......more

Other than an ending that just sort of trickled out, the book was a page-turner of the kind of humorous adventure-fantasy that L. Sprague de Camp andOther than an ending that just sort of trickled out, the book was a page-turner of the kind of humorous adventure-fantasy that L. Sprague de Camp and later his wife Catherine turned out for decades.The book was filled with satirical commentaries on everything from politics to a thinly-veiled version of Scientology. There were discussions of "justice" as seen from the viewpoint of different societies, and a lot of other social comments, all in a mock-serious style. There was nothing ground-breaking about the book, but it was still very enjoyable....more

It had some flaws, but I enjoyed the book quite a bit. The juxtaposition of the fairly serious fantasy/horror with the really weird zombie dark humorIt had some flaws, but I enjoyed the book quite a bit. The juxtaposition of the fairly serious fantasy/horror with the really weird zombie dark humor put me off at first, but I grew to enjoy it more as I continued to read the story.Anyone who has heard the Goth rock singer Voltaire's song "Zombie Prostitute" will get an extra level of enjoyment out of some of the scenes.The disclaimer at the end of the book, which admitted to minor anachronisms with the "I meant to do that" style of historicity would have been better placed at the start of the book, as a few of them were slightly distracting when first mentioned. Overall, though, just hang on for the ride and ignore the details which feel like they shouldn't work. Most of them do, by the end of the story....more

Surprisingly good...better than what I had read of Forstchen's work, anyway. At the core of the story, a three-way war between radically different culSurprisingly good...better than what I had read of Forstchen's work, anyway. At the core of the story, a three-way war between radically different cultures, is the idea that honor can be the most important motivator for a man, and that respect can defeat hatred. As two soldiers commanding forces which had been slaughtering each other have to combine to fight a dangerous enemy to both, the story progresses. It reminded me a bit of the Enemy Mine film....more

Well, sort of historical fantasy. It takes place in modern times, but in a place that is medieval and fantastical in nature.Both authors have turned iWell, sort of historical fantasy. It takes place in modern times, but in a place that is medieval and fantastical in nature.Both authors have turned in better work, but this one had a lot of good moments. For me, the weakest aspect was that so much of the action was outside the control of any single character, even the villain. The whole thing felt like a runaway train at times, especially during the climactic battle scene, and it was moderately unclear what some of the prophecies and omens really meant, even by the end of the story.

I'm not big on stories where fate is such a major character, and in this case an entire country is a character, sort of, which makes things even stranger.

This series isn't quite like his others, in that it is farther from any specific historical model than most, but it is still historically based, sortThis series isn't quite like his others, in that it is farther from any specific historical model than most, but it is still historically based, sort of. It takes place as an ice age is ending, and the change has reconnected lands that have been separated for many years by glaciers. Unfortunately, one side contained a violent, vicious culture...and then, there are the bad guys, on the other side.

Seriously, one difficulty that some readers will have is that there are only comparative good guys in this story. The main character is sympathetic, but that's about it.

The story, in terms of both adventure and military fiction, is good and very interesting. The magic is very strange, and I'm still trying to figure out some of the important concepts introduced in this volume, but it's still a good read....more

I liked this book, but found that the format limited it in many ways. In some ways this is an alternate-history-fantasy series, and sticking to the baI liked this book, but found that the format limited it in many ways. In some ways this is an alternate-history-fantasy series, and sticking to the basic premise of explaining the real world by the insertion of fantastic elements gets tricky at times. Also, the running gag with the server at a certain Inn wore thin, because there's no closure to the question of him being familiar with other worlds and times. There's also no resolution to the Oberon subplot, so if the series never continues, the threads will never be resolved. Still, the writing was very enjoyable, even if the premise made parts of it very predictable....more